BAC Plasterers Target Safety
In a survey conducted by the IU members representing each craft were asked about their health and safety concerns. Here are highlights from the comments of plasterers.
When asked if they had ever lost work time because of on-the-job injuries, those responding “yes” listed the following reasons as leading causes:
Falling from a scaffold; rubbing or abrasions caused by foreign matter in the eye; injuries caused by bending, climbing, crawling, reaching or twisting, and overexertion due to lifting.
The most common types of injuries included:
Fractures; back injuries, primarily ruptured or herniated disks; sprains; strains; tears; and injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints.
When asked what health or safety issues they are most concerned about—the top areas identified were:
Over half the plasterers surveyed said they are “often” or “very often” exposed to masonry dust that may contain silica. They say they are most commonly exposed through:
Inhaling the dust created by other crafts; mixing products; sweeping and cleaning; tearing out; and rasping.
Nearly one out of two plasterers said they had worked on a job requiring OSHA’s 10-hour, or Canada’s government-sponsored safety training program. Over 50 percent said they would be interested in participating in a safety training program.
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